Abstract: A zipper assembly for a resealable enclosure can include an elongated flange having a panel side and an opposite facing side. The panel side can be coupled with an inner surface of a panel of the resealable enclosure. The zipper assembly can include an interlocking element protruding from the flange. The interlocking element can be shaped to mate with another interlocking element of another flange to close the enclosure and shaped to be pulled apart to open the enclosure. The zipper assembly also can include a tear strip disposed in the flange. The tear strip can be pulled to tear through the panel of the resealable enclosure to provide access to the zipper assembly inside the enclosure. The tear strip can have a larger thickness than the flange between the panel side and the facing side of the flange.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an elongated supply strip formed from an elongated profile body and an elongated flange and modifying portions of the profile body and/or the flange in different locations along a length of the supply strip to define termination ends of closure strips. The supply strip is separated into at least one of the closure strips at the termination ends. The flange in the closure strip is coupled to one or more panels of a resealable enclosure, and the panels are partially sealed to define an opening into the resealable enclosure. The profile body is configured to repeatedly couple with and decouple from itself to close and open the opening in the resealable enclosure. The panels are sealed to each other such that the ends of the closure strip are sealed between the panels.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes moving a first web of flexible material in a web direction. The method then includes attaching fastener strips to the first web. The fastener strips are spaced-apart a predetermined distance along a transverse direction to the web direction. An enclosure is formed from the first web including a front wall, a back wall, a first lateral side wall, and a second lateral side wall. The front wall opposes the back wall, and the first lateral side wall opposes the second lateral side wall. The enclosure includes an upper end openable by separating the fastener strips. Corners are formed in the enclosure between the front wall, the back wall, the first lateral side wall, and the second lateral side wall. The corners are formed from the predetermined distance between the fastener strips and the fastener strips are spaced apart from each other by the corners.

Abstract: A repulpable zipper is provided for attachment to a repulpable flexible package. The repulpable zipper is formed using a water-soluble polymer combined with a repulpable material, such as a plant-based cellulose material. The repulpable zipper enables the repulpable package to be opened and closed by the consumer, so that the consumer has the option to determine, change or manipulate the contents of the repulpable flexible package.

Abstract: A reclosable enclosure includes a body having a front panel and a back panel secured to each other and forming a cavity therebetween to store contents. The body includes a flap that extends from a top end of the body. The reclosable enclosure includes a zipper assembly coupled to an interior surface of at least the front panel. The zipper assembly includes a first profile strip and a second profile strip that form a reclosable zipper to selectively close the cavity. The flap blocks access to the reclosable zipper and is sealed to at least one of the front panel or the second profile strip in an intact state of the flap. The flap defines one or more lines of weakness to permit irreparable separation of a sub-flap from a remainder of the flap to access the reclosable zipper.

Abstract: A biodegradable (repulpable, compostable and/or water soluble) zipper is provided for attachment to a biodegradable flexible package. The biodegradable zipper is formed using a water-soluble polymer that can be combined with a repulpable and/or compostable material, such as a plant-based cellulose material. The biodegradable zipper enables the biodegradable package to be opened and closed by the consumer, so that the consumer has the option to determine, change or manipulate the contents of the biodegradable flexible package.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an elongated supply strip formed from an elongated profile body and an elongated flange and modifying portions of the profile body and/or the flange in different locations along a length of the supply strip to define termination ends of closure strips. The supply strip is separated into at least one of the closure strips at the termination ends. The flange in the closure strip is coupled to one or more panels of a resealable enclosure, and the panels are partially sealed to define an opening into the resealable enclosure. The profile body is configured to repeatedly couple with and decouple from itself to close and open the opening in the resealable enclosure. The panels are sealed to each other such that the ends of the closure strip are sealed between the panels.

Abstract: A repulpable zipper is provided for attachment to a repulpable flexible package. The repulpable zipper is formed using a water-soluble polymer combined with a repulpable material, such as a plant-based cellulose material. The repulpable zipper enables the repulpable package to be opened and closed by the consumer, so that the consumer has the option to determine, change or manipulate the contents of the repulpable flexible package.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to various embodiments of zippers with a tear flange for use in a reclosable flexible package or bag. A line of weakness can be introduced into the tear flange by application of a peel seal polymer resin or of a foaming agent. The disclosure includes further embodiments wherein lines of weakness are introduced into the flange of zippers in reclosable packages or bags.

Abstract: A length of flanged zipper material for reclosable packages or bags is provided with inverted T-shape endstops wherein the zipper profiles are crushed and the flanges are fused together. The reclosable packages or bags are separated at the mid-point of the inverted T-shaped endstops thereby forming L-shaped and reversed L-shaped endstops. The zipper flanges are fused together in the lower cross elements of the endstop thereby providing an area for the slider to be placed wherein the forces from distension of the package or bag walls are unlikely to exert forces to separate the slider from the zipper. This is particularly applicable to slider zippers wherein the flanges are attached to or substantially co-planar with the exterior sidewalls of the interlocking elements of the zipper profiles.

Abstract: A reclosable zipper is disclosed which includes a first profile which has a first compressible foamed sealant layer, and a first interlocking element, which is unfoamed, extending from the first profile. The zipper includes a second profile which has a second compressible foamed sealant layer, and a second interlocking element, which is unfoamed, extending from the second profile. The rigidity of the interlocking elements provides the required stability when the zipper is closed while the foamed sealant layers improve the sealing characteristics of the zipper to a packaging film.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus wherein extra mass is added to a profile of a slider zipper prior to the ultrasonic or thermal forming of the end stomps. This results in an end stomp of increased size and height, thereby providing a greater resistance to the slider being pulled from the ends of the zipper.

Abstract: An apparatus, device and method for producing end seals on a continuous supply of fastener strip having first and second interlocked profiles before the fastener strip is attached to a supply of thermoplastic film used to make a reclosable bag. The fastener strip is advanced through a guide. A first section is identified and fused thereby providing a first end seal. A second end section is identified with the identification based on the first end seal. The second section is fused, thereby providing a second end seal with the result of a length of fastener strip including a pair of end seals. A device is provided to simultaneously fuse and cut the fastener strip at the exiting end of the fastener guide.

Abstract: A reclosable slider zipper is disclosed wherein the profiles have several interlocking ribs thereby allowing the profiles to be interlocked in various alignments. A slider is provided to open and close the reclosable slider zipper. This results in increased reliability in alignment of the profiles during manufacturing processes and similarly results in increased smoothness and tactile feel for the consumer.

Abstract: A length of flanged zipper material for reclosable packages or bags is provided with inverted T-shape endstops wherein the zipper profiles are crushed and the flanges are fused together. The reclosable packages or bags are separated at the mid-point of the inverted T-shaped endstops thereby forming L-shaped and reversed L-shaped endstops. The zipper flanges are fused together in the lower cross elements of the endstop thereby providing an area for the slider to be placed wherein the forces from distension of the package or bag walls are unlikely to exert forces to separate the slider from the zipper. This is particularly applicable to slider zippers wherein the flanges are attached to or substantially co-planar with the exterior sidewalls of the interlocking elements of the zipper profiles.

Abstract: A slider for use with interlocking profiles in a reclosable plastic bag is disclosed. The slider includes a rotary device which allows the user to hold the reclosable plastic bag and operate the slider with a single hand. The rotary device can be a thumbwheel which is journaled for rotation about an axis in the side or top of the slider, and can also be a flexible or elastic band which passes through and is retained by slots formed in the slider.

Abstract: A machine direction method of manufacture of reclosable packages is disclosed wherein a semi-circular or similarly shaped perforated pattern is punched in the web in registration with the package side seals. Continuous lines of perforation are punched in the web parallel to the top of the package. The web is folded and shaped into a package with a header which includes the semi-circular perforated pattern and the lines of perforation. A similar transverse direction method of manufacture is disclosed. When the top corner of the header is pulled, the header tears along the shaped perforation until it meets the horizontal line of perforation, thereby avoiding tearing through the area of the header that is sealed to the zipper flange, the header then tears along the horizontal perforation and finally follows the shaped perforation on the opposite end of the package.

Abstract: A method of forming, filling and sealing a reclosable package 46. A thermoform film 14 is fed toward a forming station 18. A zipper length 20 having mated interlocking profiles 21 and 23 and a slider 28 is fed onto the thermoform film transverse to the feeding direction of the film and one of the profiles is sealed to the film. A pocket 18 is thermoformed in the film and product 32 is fed into the pocket. A cover sheet 34 is then fed over the thermoform film covering the pocket 18 and second profile 23. The cover sheet 34 is sealed to the thermoform film at seal lines 38 along the pocket, to the second profile and above the zipper to form a filled package and the bottom seal 44 for the next package.

Abstract: An apparatus, device and method for producing end seals on a continuous supply of fastener strip having first and second interlocked profiles before the fastener strip is attached to a supply of thermoplastic film used to make a reclosable bag. The fastener strip is advanced through a guide. A first section is identified and fused thereby providing a first end seal. A second end section is identified with the identification based on the first end seal. The second section is fused, thereby providing a second end seal with the result of a length of fastener strip including a pair of end seals. A device is provided to simultaneously fuse and cut the fastener strip at the exiting end of the fastener guide.

Abstract: The plastic bags are provided with a web tape with a row of aperatures which are cut parallel to each other, but perpendicular to the direction of travel of the row. The aperatures are not colinear with one another. The apertures are sized to allow air to pass therethrough but not to allow selected solids to pass therethrough. These apertures are cut with a rotating wheel with teeth parallel to the axis of rotation and sized to provide the apertures of the desired size.